2012 ORRC Y2k 20.12k and 10k results and recap

There was a record turnout at the 2012 ORRC Y2k 20.12k and 10k, held on Saturday, January 7 in Forest Grove. There were 133 finishers in the 20.12k race and a whopping 437 finishers in the 10k! Click on each race name for full results (below the recap).

Thanks to runner Elena Parker for sending her recap of the 2012 ORRC Y2k!

This is the third time I have participated in the 20k part of the annual ORRC first race of the year, known as the Y2k, and it was a wonderful experience! The weather was perfect for a January race, low 40s, (as opposed to mid 20s last year and very icy as in 2009), and overcast, but not raining. This is one of my favorite races of the year, in part because it is in my hometown and I don't have to travel far or get up at the crack of dawn, but mostly I just love the low key nature of this event. I love seeing people I know in my community and I love the race course, which takes place mostly out on country roads.

This year for the first time the race was held on Saturday instead of Sunday and I was a little concerned that the traffic would be heavier, but I was not aware of any noticeable difference. We always run through Old Town and are greeted by enthusiastic members of the Forest Grove High School Cross Country Team (and coach Sue Fleskes, of course) along 18th Avenue to Elm Street, and they were also at the finish line to cheer each runner as they crossed the finish line.

Also new this year, we were very enthusiastically cheered on by volunteers from Liberty High School, and that was really motivating, especially for the last mile beginning at the corner of Stringtown and Ritchie Roads knowing we were faced with the daunting hill at the very end of the race at Mt. View Cemetery.

Lastly, and also new this year, was the drummer (a Pacific University Professor) at the finish line, which also gave me a boost to do a little sprint to the finish and shortly thereafter into the warm building and hot pancakes and juice served by a very friendly crew in the kitchen of Tom McCall Upper Elementary School.

Many thanks to Barb Schimmel for organizing what I felt was a very successful and fun race!